Norene Kelly, UEGroup

Insights

→ A socially acceptable wearable must fulfill aspirational desires.

→ A socially acceptable wearable cannot create social fears or be a threat to other people.

→ While aesthetics and
fashion can affect the
social acceptability of a
wearable device, they are
not driving factors.
getting dressed. You choose your
clothes based on what you are doing
that day, who you will be seeing—who
will be seeing you. You have a certain
choice of clothing in your closet based
on the possibilities your life presents.
Why certain clothes exist in your
closet is dependent on many factors,
like their color and price, which are
in turn affected by other factors, like
your personality and income. But
preparation for a day’s performance is
not just about clothing. It is also about
your hair, and perhaps jewelry and
cosmetics. It may involve moderating
or altering how you smell. You may
have made a permanent change to how
If William Shakespeare could time
travel to the present, it’s hard to say
what he would make of the small
computers and electronic devices
we carry and attach to our bodies.

Regardless, one of his observations captures very well the human-computer interactions that permeate

21st-century life: “All the world’s a stage.” While the world since Shakespeare’s time has changed dramatically, people still are and always will be social animals. As ever, we put on performances for others and ourselves.

A key preparation for this performance happens every morning:

I
A ll
The World’s
a Stage:
What Makes a
Wearable Socially
Acceptable

I M A G E B Y P R A I W A N W A S A N R U K